Jodi Gordon has never thought of herself as someone with a head for business. In fact, the 37-year-old actress has always prided herself on her creative flare.
But when the opportunity arose to give Celebrity Apprentice Australia a try, she couldn’t resist the challenge, even though it was worlds away from anything she’d done.
“I’m up for trying anything new,” Jodi tells TV WEEK. “Although I’m in the creative field, I’m always willing to learn and ask questions.”
Jodi was determined to work hard to raise as much as she could for the Starlight Foundation.
(Image: Nine)The TV WEEK Logie Award winner wasn’t going in blind. As a big fan of the show, she knew exactly what she was in for and hoped she might learn a thing or too along the way.
“I’ve always loved the show,” she says. “I’ve dreamt of doing my own line of products, so I thought I could gain good business ideas from it too.”
Although the former Home And Away star was ready for whatever the show might throw at her, nothing could prepare her for the presence of boardroom boss Lord Alan Sugar.
“He was absolutely frightening,” Jodi says of the British billionaire. “He was as tough as he needed to be, but gave everyone a fair go.”
Celebrity Apprentice is Jodi’s first TV gig since playing Elly Conway in Neighbours from 2016 to 2020.
(Image: Supplied)With a prize of $100,000 for charity the incentive, Jodi was determined to work hard to raise as much as she could for her charity, the Starlight Foundation, which seeks to brighten the lives of children and young people in hospital.
Jodi says she often relied on the other celebrities for support during stressful moments.
“It was daunting at times, but I managed to raise a lot of money, so I’m proud of myself and thankful to those who supported me,” she shares.
“I loved working alongside my girls [entertainer]Samantha Jade and [Olympic swimmer] Bronte Campbell. We had a ball and made the absolute most of it. And the boys were always good for a laugh!”
Despite the series trailer hinting at some serious drama between the celebrities, Jodi declares the group got along well.
“There wasn’t really anyone I didn’t get along with,” she says. “It was a great group of celebs who all got on very well, although some of them had their eyes on the prize early on and took no prisoners.”
“It was daunting at times, but I managed to raise a lot of money.”
(Image: Nine)Celebrity Apprentice Australia is Jodi’s first appearance in a TV series since playing Elly Conway in Neighbours from 2016 to 2020.
And much to the delight of Neighbours fans, Jodi will be reprising her character for the ending of the long-running soap this year.
The news had H&A fans wondering if she’d consider a return to Summer Bay too.
“Never say never!” she says. “I’ve always loved TV and would love to go back if the right project came along.”
